Overexpression of luxS cannot increase autoinducer-2 production, only affect the growth and biofilm formation in Streptococcus suis

ScientificWorldJournal. 2013 Nov 7:2013:924276. doi: 10.1155/2013/924276. eCollection 2013.

Abstract

LuxS/AI-2 quorum sensing (QS) system involves the production of cell signaling molecules via luxS-based autoinducer-2 (AI-2). LuxS has been reported to plays critical roles in regulating various behaviors of bacteria. AI-2 is a byproduct of the catabolism of S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) performed by the LuxS and Pfs enzymes. In our previous study, the function of LuxS in AI-2 production was verified in Streptococcus suis (SS). Decreased levels of SS biofilm formation and host-cell adherence as well as an inability to produce AI-2 were observed in bacteria having a luxS mutant gene. In this study, the level of AI-2 activity exhibits a growth-phase dependence with a maximum in late exponential culture in SS. An SS strain that overexpressed luxS was constructed to comprehensively understand the function of AI-2. Overexpressed luxS was not able to increase the level of pfs expression and produce additional AI-2, and the bacteria were slower growing and produced only slightly more biofilm than the wild type. Thus, AI-2 production is not correlated with luxS transcription. luxS expression is constitutive, but the transcription of pfs is perhaps correlated with AI-2 production in SS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Base Sequence
  • Biofilms*
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases / genetics*
  • DNA Primers
  • Genes, Bacterial*
  • Homoserine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Homoserine / biosynthesis
  • Lactones
  • Quorum Sensing
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Streptococcus suis / genetics
  • Streptococcus suis / growth & development
  • Streptococcus suis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA Primers
  • Lactones
  • N-octanoylhomoserine lactone
  • Homoserine
  • Carbon-Sulfur Lyases
  • LuxS protein, Bacteria